Beautiful Black-Sand Beaches Guaranteed to Take Your Breath Away

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You may have heard of pink-sand beaches, such as those you'd find on Bermuda, but what about black-sand beaches? Believe it or not, there are ink-hued strands, and they're major selfie-worthy sights! These coastal beauties are typically found near a volcano, and they're composed of tiny fragments of basalt and volcanic minerals. Here are some of the most beautiful black-sand beaches around the world.

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach — Big Island, Hawaii

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Simply known as Black Sand Beach, Punalu'u is the most famous of Hawaii's jet-hued strands. In addition to a long, wide stretch of black sand dotted with volcanic rocks, you can often see endangered green and hawksbill turtles sunning themselves on the sand.

Kehena Black Sand Beach — Big Island, Hawaii

This narrow stretch of black-sand beach, on the Big Island's eastern shore, is reached via a short but steep trail. This hidden gem is known not only for the frequent appearances of spinner dolphins that frolic off shore, but also for the nudists who come to sunbathe au naturel.

Santo Domingo Black Sand Beach — Luzon Island, Philippines

The Albay province of the Philippines has several volcanoes, so it's one of the most popular spots in the archipelago to find black-sand beaches, including Santo Domingo. Spread out a towel and take in the beauty of the lush green foliage contrasting with the dark volcanic sand.

Reynisfjara Beach — Vik, Iceland

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This black-sand beach is one of the most popular strands in Iceland. Located near the village of Vik, this black pebble beach has a pyramid-like rock formation of basalt columns, as well as rock formations jutting out from the sea, which can be quite rough (swimming is not recommended here).

Black Sands Beach — Marin County, California

This little-known gem in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area — reached via a moderate but steep hike — is one of the few black-sand strands in the U.S. Aside from a beautiful black-sand beach, you'll be treated to Golden Gate Bridge views. (Note: This is a clothing-optional beach.)

Wai'napanapa Black Sand Beach — Maui, Hawaii

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This small black-sand beach, created from lava from the now dormant Mount Haleakala, is located within Wai'napanapa State Park on Maui's eastern shore (near Hana). This strand is popular for swimming and snorkeling, and it features a naturally-made lava arch in the water.

Point Venus Black Sand Beach — Tahiti, French Polynesia

Point Venus, a black-sand beauty on Tahiti's north coast, was visited by both Captain Cook and the crew of the Bounty (before the mutiny). It's an idyllic strand with palm and casuarina trees, and there's a historic 19th-century lighthouse that's the only one on the island.

El Bollullo Black Sand Beach — Canary Islands, Spain

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On the gorgeous island of Tenerife, El Bollullo is a crescent-shaped beauty in a secluded cove on the north coast. This low-key jet black strand is a favorite of local families who come to relax, take a dip in the Atlantic Ocean, and dine on fresh seafood in a rustic beach shack.

Perissa Black Sand Beach — Santorini, Greece

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Perissa is tourist resort on Santorini's south coast, so expect plenty of hotels and restaurants lining this black-sand beach. You can easily spend the day here, relaxing on a lounger, going for a swim in the Aegean, and lunching at a barefoot beach bar. The ruins of Ancient Thera are nearby, too.

Piha Black Sand Beach — Auckland, New Zealand

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New Zealand's most famous black-sand beach, Piha, is a half-hour drive from Auckland. It's known for its excellent surfing and a Maori carving atop a rock formation called Lion's Rock at the water's edge. You can also follow an easygoing trail to nearby Kitekite Falls.

One'uli Black Sand Beach — Maui, Hawaii

One'uli, which means "dark sands" in Hawaiian, is located within Makena State Park on Maui's south coast, and it's known as a secret beach. While the swimming conditions aren't ideal due to the coral reef at the shoreline, it's a great spot for snorkeling.

Waimea Black Sand Beach — Kauai, Hawaii

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As the only black-sand beach on the island of Kauai, Waimea Beach on the west side is worth a visit, though it's not great for swimming. The area is popular with local fisherman, and it's especially beautiful at sunset — take a walk along the pier jutting into the Pacific Ocean.

Ureki Black Sand Beach — Ureki, Georgia

Ureki, a resort town on the Black Sea, is known for its black-sand beach of the same name. The warm and shallow water attracts many families, and the sand's magnetic properties are said to be beneficial for those with joint and cardiovascular diseases.

Mosteiros Black Sand Beach — The Azores, Portugal

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São Miguel, the largest of the islands in Portugal's Azores archipelago, is home to a stunning jet-black beach called Mosteiros. This volcanic strand, framed by towering green cliffs, is known for its large black lava rocks that many visitors like to climb on.

Ficogrande Black Sand Beach — Aeolian Islands, Italy

The remote island of Stromboli, one of Italy's volcanic Aeolian Islands (off the coast of Sicily), has numerous black-sand beaches, but the most popular is Ficogrande, a wide, ink-hued stretch dotted with volcanic pebbles and equipped with chairs and umbrellas.